In fact, his office even refused to show WTAE his calendar for the past year. WTAE fought through the state Office of Open Records, and Channel 4 Action News has learned the state has ruled in its favor.

This could be critical in learning more about the mayor's administration, especially since some members have been under scrutiny in a federal grand jury probe. The move could also set precedent for public officials and transparency not only in Pittsburgh, but across the state.

On Monday, the mayor declined to answer questions about his calendar while attending a groundbreaking event.

"I talked about that last Friday. I'm not going to go into more detail. I refer you guys to (City Solicitor) Dan Regan on that issue," said Ravenstahl.

The mayor's office has a few weeks to hand over the calendar, which could show who he's met with and when. The office can also choose to file an appeal.While Ravenstahl did not seek to participate in the appeal, the city filed it anyway, documents say.

According to the final determination, the city argued the mayor's calendar is not public information, since it's for the mayor's personal use. It says the mayor's calendar was shared only between himself and his staff.

But the public is entitled to that information, says former First Amendment attorney and current Robert Morris University communications professor David Jamison.

"We all, as citizens, might want to know certain information that's in government records, and I think we have to depend on the media to fight that fight," said Jamison.

Ultimately, the ruling says the city failed to meet its burden of proof to withhold the mayor's calendar. According to the "right to know" law, it's up to the public body to prove that a record is exempt.

"It's a bigger deal than might be apparent from an individual case because it builds towards a principle and the principle of all of us knowing what the government is doing," said Jamison.

Reached by phone, Regan says they stand on solid legal ground and says they haven't decided yet if they'll appeal.?WTAE reached out to Pittsburgh's likely next mayor, Bill Peduto. His spokesperson said, "They would honor the state's Office of Open Records decision and would not plan to pursue any appeal."

If elected, Peduto says he plans to make his schedule available online.

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